Tech Talk

Appalachian Tech Talk is sponsored by #appalachia, which exists to promote the use of the hashtag.  Whenever you add content to the web through social media and you use (#appalachia) you participate in shaping the digital narrative of our region.  

You can continue this conversation on the web at HashtagAppalachia.com, on facebook at HashtagAppalachia, and on twitter @tagappalachia.

Recorded in Pikeville, KY

Episode 1, Feat. Justin Hall

Hosted by Austin Coleman and Lynn Parrish

In the inaugural episode of Appalachian Tech Talk, we discuss the origins and growth of Bit Source with Justin Hall, the company’s Chief Technical Officer.

Further reading:

Wired, 2015 - Can You Teach a Coal Miner to Code?

The Guardian, 2017 - Hillbillies Who Code

The Daily Independent, 2016 - A ‘Bit Source’ of Hope

Episode 2, Featuring William Stevens and Garland Couch

Hosted by Austin Coleman and Lynn Parrish

In this episode of Appalachian Tech Talk, we speak with William Stevens and Garland Couch, coal miners turned software developers.  They discuss their previous jobs in the coal industry, their current jobs in the tech sector, and how the former contribute to the latter.

Further reading:

Ground Truth, 2017 - Tech Careers in Kentucky: A Future Emerges After Coal

RemakeLearning [blog] - From Deep Coal to High Tech

 

Episode 3, feat. Payton May

Hosted by Austin Coleman and Lynn Parrish

https://hashtagappalachia.com/pages/tech-talk

In this episode, we are joined by Payton May, Chief Operating Officer of Bit Source.  We discuss Payton’s background in architecture and design, as well as Bit Source’s current projects and involvement in the community.

Further reading:

WYMT, 2018 - ‘Billy Finder’ is New App for Navigating Hillbilly Days

Appalachian News-Express, 2018 - Pikeville High School students announce app to tackle opioid crisis